'We're very much not a racist family': Angry Prince William publicly hits back at Harry and Meghan's claims as he becomes first member of family to break silence - and reveals he hasn't spoken to his brother since Oprah interview 'but will do'

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An impassioned Prince William today publicly hit back against Harry and Meghan's racism claims, insisting, 'We're very much not a racist family'. 

The Duke of Cambridge is the first royal to personally respond to the allegation during his first royal engagement since the Oprah interview, as he also revealed that he has not spoken to his brother since it came out, but added that he 'will do'. 

Meghan's claim that an unnamed royal raised concerns about Archie being 'too brown' was the most damaging allegation to come out of the broadcast, and caused untold damage to the Windsors' reputation around the world.

She also made allegations that she felt suicidal and turned to the palace for help. Today, the Cambridges spoke about mental health during a visit the School21 in east London. 

The emphasis may feel prescient in the light of the Duchess of Sussex's claims, but MailOnline understands the visit would have been planned weeks in advance. 

The royals usually release details of visits before they happen, but during the pandemic they have been doing so immediately afterwards to avoid large crowds during Covid. 

Beyond the fact that the visit was to a school further details - including that the pair would discuss mental health - were only circulated later. 

Today was also the first engagement for Kate since she was accused by Meghan of making her cry in the bombshell tell-all chat. Previously, it was believed it was Meghan who had made Kate cry during a row over bridesmaids' dresses. 

During the Oprah interview, Meghan also revealed details about their strained relationship, saying of pictures of them laughing at Wimbledon, 'Nothing is what it looks like', and said Kate being called 'waity Katie' in the press couldn't compare to the alleged racism she faced. 

Meanwhile, Harry revealed how he was 'on different paths' to William and spoke about his brother was 'trapped' in the Royal Family.     

William, who was visiting School2 in east London to promote a children's mental health programme, defended his family's reputation after being asked by Sky News reporter Inzamam Rashid, 'Is the Royal Family a racist family?'

William and Kate (pictured) signalled their intention to carry on as normal at School21 in Stratford, east London, with Kate seen speaking to pupils and teachers

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrive for a visit to School21 in Stratford, east London, to promote a mental health initiative for children on a visit to a school

William, who was visiting School2 in east London to promote a children's mental health programme, defended his family's reputation after being asked by Sky News reporter Inzamam Rashid, 'Is the Royal Family a racist family?'

And when questioned whether he had spoken to his brother since Sunday's broadcast, the Duke of Cambridge said: 'No, I haven't spoken to him, but I will do.' 

The decision to publicly respond to personal allegations is unprecedented for a senior royal, say experts, and is an indication of the strength of feeling in the royal household about the attacks directed at them. 

The Queen broke her silence on the interview on Tuesday, voicing her 'concern' over the issues raised, 'particularly that of race', although the statement added that 'some recollections may vary'. 

During today's visit, the Cambridges spoke about the return of children to classes this week and the rollout to secondary schools of a mental health project Kate launched in primary schools in 2018.

Kate, who was wearing a pink £389 Max & Co coat and a £65 pink Boden jumper, looked relaxed as she chatted to teachers and played with pupils.  

Today royal expert Phil Dampier praised William's intervention, tweeting: 'Clearly very hurt but dignified. Well said, William. 

'The royals will survive and slowly fight back but Harry and Meghan have played all their cards. From now on they can't blame everyone else and have to stand or fall by their own actions.'

William made the comment during his first public appearance since highly damaging claims of bigotry and a lack of support were levelled at the royal family by Harry and Meghan in their interview with Oprah.

The reporter who asked the question, Inzamam Rashid, was on one of his first jobs since returning from a suspension after being seen with Kay Burley at her lockdown-flouting 60th birthday. 

William and Kate toured School21 in Stratford, east London, to mark the return of children to classes this week and the rollout to secondary schools of a mental health project Kate launched in primary schools in 2018.

As William left, a reporter asked him: 'Is the royal family a racist family, sir?'

The duke, with the duchess by his side, replied: 'We're very much not a racist family.'

The reporter asked whether there has been any communication between the royal brothers, whose relationship is known to have been troubled in the past.

He asked William: 'Sir, have you spoken to your brother since the interview?', and the duke replied: 'No, I haven't spoken to him yet, but I will do.'

William's comments are the first public statement by a member of the royal family about the allegations made by the Sussexes which have severely damaged the reputation of the monarchy. 

During the visit, Kate knelt down to talk to children in a pop-up cafe, while William helped a little girl building a wall in the playground's construction area.

He joked he had been taking orders from the construction manager. 'I was just doing what I was told,' he said to laughter from teachers.

The duke and duchess then joined teachers and staff involved in the Mentally Healthy Schools project to talk about its aims and impact on children. They sat in a circle outside the school because of Covid restrictions. 

It other updates over the interview fallout today -  

• The Queen is planning to reach out to the Sussexes by phoning them in California as she believes now is the time for a more personal approach;
• Sir Keir Starmer says allegations of royal racism made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are a 'matter now for the family'; 
• Jacob Rees-Mogg reads out the national anthem when asked to allow MPs to debate the role of the monarchy, amid concerns over the 'family dispute' being aired in public; 
• Meghan's close friend Janina Gavankar attacks the Queen's statement - after 'getting Duchess's backing before appearing on This Morning despite couple insisting interview would be their last word;
• Figures show Good Morning Britain lost 80,000 viewers the day after Piers Morgan sensationally quit as its rival BBC Breakfast gained 200,000 as a result;  
• Details emerge of a 'bizarre warning' Harry and Meghan's PR team reportedly sent to the BBC telling them to not only use 'old white men' in their coverage of the interview; 
• US right-wing commentator Candace Owens backs Piers Morgan after his departure from GMB after a complaint from Meghan; 
• Sharon Osbourne fiercely defends her friend Piers on The Talk against a backlash from the entire panel who say he's been 'racist and sexist in coverage of Meghan';
• Palace staff express dismay at the Duchess's  claim she was left to sink or swim when she joined the Royal Family 
• Questions raised over Meghan's claim her passport was 'confiscated' as it emerged she took 13 foreign holidays.

The couple's visit today coincides with the roll-out of Mentally Healthy Schools resources for secondary schools and how this is helping put mental health at the heart of their schools curriculum 

Kate wore a pink £389 Max & Co coat and a £65 pink Boden jumper during the visit, where she was seen speaking to schoolchildren 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge toured School21 in Stratford, east London, to mark the return of children to classes this week and the rollout to secondary schools of a mental health project Kate launched in primary schools in 2018

The couple were at the school to mark children's return to classes and the rollout to secondary schools of a mental health project for pupils which Kate launched in primary schools in 2018

The lessons are financed from an initial £800,000 grant from the then Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry

The Duke of Cambridge plays with a child in the playground during a visit to School21 in Stratford, east London, this morning 

William watches a child in the playground during today's visit - which saw the prince personally address claims of racism in the Royal Family 

Members of the royal family are known for ignoring the occasional questions shouted to them by the media during royal visits, so William's decision to respond today shows the depth of feeling in the Royal Family 

Children at School21 will be given access to lessons on issues such as anxiety and depression from Mentally Healthy Schools

The Duchess of Cambridge chatting to pupils in the playground at School21 in Stratford, east London, during today's visit 

The lessons are financed from an initial £800,000 grant from the then Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry

William's comments are the first public statement by a member of the royal family about the allegations made by the Sussexes which have severely damaged the reputation of the monarchy

School 21 is attended by girls and boys from four to 18, with pupils described as being 'from all starting points and backgrounds'

Reports circulated ahead of the Sussexes' nuptials that Meghan left Kate in tears at Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress fitting. But Meghan told Oprah the 'reverse happened'

Meghan said she was not sharing the information to be 'disparaging', but added it was 'really important for people to understand the truth'. 'She's a good person,' the duchess added

Meghan also gave more details about her strained relationship with Kate (pictured today at School21 in Stratford, east London) 

Meghan was asked about her and Kate's (pictured) memorable joint-outing to Wimbledon, where the pair put on a united front and were pictured laughing

During the interview Meghan appeared to cast doubt on the authenticity of that seemingly affable appearance, saying: 'Nothing is what it looks like'

The Duke of Cambridge adjusts his mask during a visit to School21, where the couple were discussing the mental health resources on offer 

During the visit the couple spoke to teachers about the challenges they have faced over the past year and how they have adapted to the school re-opening earlier this week

The Duke and Duchess' visit coincided with the roll-out of Mentally Healthy Schools resources for secondary schools and FE colleges, and they heard from teachers how this is helping put mental health at the heart of their school's curriculum

Oprah was left open-mouthed when Meghan and Harry recounted that a family member - not the Queen or Duke of Edinburgh - had raised concerns about how dark their unborn son Archie's skin tone might be.

There has been much speculation about which member of the royal family they were accusing of racism.

But during the interview the couple would not be drawn on who had deeply offended them.

ITV royal correspondent Chris Ship called today's comment 'unprecedented'.

He said: 'It's unprecedented for a senior royal to speak in this way.

'And shows the fight they now have on their hands to repair their reputation following Meghan and Harry's explosive claims.

'Remember the Queen's statement said 'recollections may vary'.'

Trevor Phillips says that Oprah should have asked Harry and Meghan about the prince's own past behaviour that could be considered racially insensitive.   

In 2005, a young Harry had caused a stir, at just 20 years old, he dressed up for a party in a Nazi uniform, complete with swastika armband, sparking condemnation from politicians and Jewish human rights organisations. 

After pictures of the outfit were published, an apology was issued on behalf of Harry for his 'poor choice of costume'. 

In 2006 Prince Harry was recorded calling an Asian army colleague a 'P**i' - and the footage was published three years later.

Harry said he had used the term without malice after the recording, taken in 2006, was released. 

He was sent on an Army diversity course after the incident, where he referred to Ahmed Raza Khan as 'our little P**i' friend. 

The prince apologised for any offence caused by the incident and Captain Khan, who was serving in the Pakistan army, insisted he took no offence, contemporary reports said.

Now Charles Moore, former editor of the Daily Telegraph, reveals that writer and former politician Mr Phillips contacted him to give an opinion on the incendiary Oprah interview. 

Writing for his diary in The Spectator, Mr Moore quotes the email from Mr Phillips, who says: 'A genuinely interesting question about race would have been to ask the couple whether they had discussed Harry's own past behaviour and remarks. 

'It would've been a big positive for them to talk candidly about how they got past that history, and possibly an injunction for people to be generous.' 

Mr Moore then gives his own opinion: 'Yes, Harry could have helped young white men trying to tiptoe through this minefield.'

Mr Phillips adds: 'That's assuming that Meghan actually knows about his past life — she seems remarkably ill-informed about the family she married into, even though it is the most famous and widely reported clan in history.' 

Meghan said in the Oprah interview that she was so isolated and miserable as a working member of the royal family that she had suicidal thoughts. 

She also said Harry told her that member of the royal family had expressed 'concerns' about the color of her baby´s skin before the birth of their son, Archie.

Members of the royal family are known for ignoring the occasional questions shouted to them by the media during royal visits. 

Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said: 'Imagine if Prince William had been in charge of the palace statement two days ago.'  

It comes as the Queen is set to extend a personal olive branch to Harry and Meghan as she takes charge of the fallout from their bombshell television interview.

With senior royals still 'reeling' following a series of explosive allegations by the couple, she has issued a 'three-line whip' to prevent staff discussing the situation publicly.

It is understood that she intends to try to pour oil on troubled waters by reaching out to her grandson and his wife in California instead. 

The 94-year-old monarch's determination to seize the initiative is deemed to be a sensible one.

Harry said he felt let down by his father, who, he claimed, refused to take his calls over the whole Megxit saga.

During the interview, the 36-year-old also admitted there was still a huge gulf between him and his brother.

He also accused an unnamed member of his family of racism and said the lack of support he and his wife received from the other royals was behind their decision to quit the UK. 

However both Harry and Meghan made a point of trying to 'ring fence' his grandparents from criticism, with the duchess saying how 'wonderful' and generous the Queen had been.

She also boasted of being able to call her without needing to speak to officials.

Children at School21 will be given access to lessons on issues such as anxiety and depression from Mentally Healthy Schools

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walked around the playground and chatted to children as they were playing with their toys 

William and Kate were both wearing face masks during the visit, which saw them speak to teachers about how they had adapted to the school's reopening this week 

The couple at School21 following its reopening at the start of this week following the easing of lockdown restrictions in England 

During the bombshell interview, Harry accused an unnamed member of his family of racism and said the lack of support he and his wife received from the other royals was behind their decision to quit the UK

Harry also insisted he hadn't 'blindsided' her with their decision to step down from royal duties as he had too much respect for his 'colonel in chief'. 

And he told Oprah to make clear in publicity for the show that the unidentified family member who Meghan claims expressed 'concern' about how 'dark' their child would be was neither of his grandparents.

Courtiers now hope and believe the Queen's approach will help to 'de-toxify' such a volatile situation.

'It is difficult to underestimate how shell-shocked everyone is by what has happened,' a source told the Daily Mail.

'People are literally reeling from what has happened and some staff would dearly love to publicly rebut some of what has been said about them.

'But the Queen has taken a very measured, sensible approach. She is leading by example. This is a matter for her and the family to deal with.'

And although they had not been expecting to receive an easy ride, they were stunned at the ferocity of the allegations hurled in their direction.

There was significant internal debate as to whether to rebut many of them, but instead the Queen personally opted for a 'compassionate but firm' approach.

A statement on her behalf read: 'The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan.

'The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.'

She added: 'Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members.' 

The 61-word, three paragraph statement was in marked contrast to the three hours of interview Oprah boasted that Harry and Meghan had given her. 

A source added: 'There is a long way to go but hopefully things will start to move in the right direction in order for bridges to be built.'

It is hoped Harry and Meghan will now take the same approach. 

Before the interview their PR team insisted it would be the 'last word' on the family rift.

And as someone who has campaigned on the issue of mental health, William will be finding allegations that Meghan was driven to consider suicide by her treatment by the family tough to swallow

The couple - seen in a car in London today - are said to be deeply upset by the way they were attacked by the Sussexes, with Meghan accusing Kate of making her cry during a bridesmaid dress fitting ahead of the royal wedding

It is understood that the Queen intends to try to pour oil on troubled waters by reaching out to her grandson and his wife in California. It is expected that they will speak on the phone in the next few days

Meghan Markle made at least 13 trips abroad after her relationship with Prince Harry emerged - despite claiming her passport was seized when she 'joined the family'

The couple said that they felt they 'needed to have their say' but now 'considered the matter closed' and wanted to 'move on'.

But since the screening, a raft of close friends and supporters have been given permission to push their case on social media and over the airwaves.

Insiders fear even if Harry does manage to patch up relations with his family, irrevocable damage has been done. 

Palace staff watched Harry and Meghan's interview in horror as they claimed she was left completely unsupported when she joined the Royal Family, it emerged last night.

The Daily Mail can reveal there is genuine hurt that the couple have perpetuated the image that Meghan was cut adrift and left to fend for herself.

In fact, sources say, the duchess was given a string of the Queen's most senior staff as 'mentors' after the couple became engaged, as well as being allowed to hand-pick her own 15-strong team of loyal and talented private office staff.

'It is very disingenuous to make such a sweeping generalisation,' one insider said. 

'There was a brilliant team of very experienced and loyal aides to help them. Sadly, she and Harry were willing to listen to no one. And that is the honest truth.'

The Queen even personally persuaded her long-standing and extremely popular former deputy private secretary Samantha Cohen, who had just handed in her notice after working for the Royal Household for the best part of two decades, to stay on and work for the couple. 

She was their first joint private secretary, running their private and public lives rather like a chief of staff. 

One of her main roles was to help navigate Meghan through the wedding and prepare her for royal life. These included regular tutoring sessions on everything from royal etiquette to diplomatic protocol at Kensington Palace.

Australian-born Mrs Cohen, a mother of three, was considered the safest pair of hands possible. 

Having begun her career in the press office, rising to press secretary, and then moving to the Queen's private office in 2010, she was the most senior woman in the household and one of the Queen's key advisers, seen in the palace corridors as belonging to a more modern breed of royal executive.

During the interview, Meghan Markle described how 'wonderful' and generous the Queen (pictured together in 2018) had been and boasted of being able to call her without needing to speak to officials

'The Queen gave her Sam, her most trusted, her safest set of hands,' a source said. Yet Meghan told Oprah that while the Queen had personally been 'wonderful', she hadn't received any guidance on how to behave as a royal – leaving her forced to google the National Anthem.

'Unlike what you see in the movies, there's no class on how to... how to speak, how to cross your legs, how to be royal,' she said.

'There was none of that training that might exist for other members of the family. That was not something that was offered to me.'

'Nobody prepares you?' asked Oprah. 

Meghan confirmed this adding: 'I'm sorry, but even down to, like, the National Anthem. No one thought to say, 'Oh, you're American. You're not gonna know that'. 

'That's me, late at night, googling... I don't wanna embarrass them. I need to learn these 30 hymns for church. 

'All of this is televised. We were doing the training behind the scenes 'cause I just wanted to make them proud.'

She also revealed that on the first occasion she met the Queen, at Royal Lodge, Prince Andrew's Windsor home, his ex-wife the Duchess of York – with whom he still lives – had to teach her how to strike a 'deep curtsey' as she had no idea what she would be required to do that in private.

Harry backed up his wife's claims, saying one of the main reasons for their decision to quit royal duties was a 'lack of support and lack of understanding'. 

But several sources have told the Mail that their account 'is not one anyone recognises'.

'No one wants to get into a tit-for-tat but it is important to stress that this idea the duchess wasn't helped with protocol, that no one taught her to curtsey, she had to google the National Anthem herself, isn't true,' said one. 

'If you believe Archie has suffered racism then call me a Nigerian prince and give me your credit card': Candace Owens backs Piers Morgan

 Conservative commentator Candace Owens has lashed out at Meghan Markle during an interview with Sean Hannity Wednesday night, describing the Duchess as a 'liar' and a 'narcissist'. 

Owens told the Fox News anchor that Meghan 'couldn't keep her stories straight' during her bombshell interview with Oprah last weekend.   

'She [Meghan] said she doesn't read newspapers or check social media. That's not true because she then said that she was suicidal because of bad press,' Owens stated. 

Conservative commentator Candace Owens has lashed out at Meghan Markle during an interview with Sean Hannity Wednesday night, describing the Duchess as a 'liar' and a 'narcissist'

Owens also claimed that Meghan's insinuation that her son, Archie, was not offered a title because of his skin tone was also untrue. 

'If you have seen a picture of Archie and you believe he suffered anti-black racism, then call me a Nigerian prince and give me your credit card,' the outspoken pundit proclaimed, saying that the baby Royal had a light skin tone. 

Owens additionally mocked Meghan for putting in a complaint to British broadcaster ITV because she was upset with critical comments made by Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan.  

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It was alleged last week that Mrs Cohen was one of those members of staff who experienced bullying at Meghan's hands, which has been denied by the Sussexes' lawyers.

As well as being given the services of Mrs Cohen, Meghan was also put on speed dial to the Queen's equerry, Ghanian-born Lieutenant Colonel Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah of the Household Cavalry. 

Equerries are senior officers who help organise the Queen's diary and official functions, often appearing at her side.

The Mail also understands that Meghan was able to lean on one of the Queen's most senior ladies-in-waiting, Lady Susan Hussey, the widow of former BBC chairman Marmaduke Hussey and one Prince William's godparents.

She has been the loyal friend and companion to the Queen since she joined the court in 1960 following the birth of Prince Andrew.

Like all ladies-in-waiting, Lady Susan accompanies Her Majesty on engagements and organises her diary, as well as dealing with her correspondence. 

She is not paid for her services. Like Sam Cohen, there couldn't have been a safer sounding board for the duchess to use,' said a source. 

'Lady Susan is very approachable, as are all the ladies-in-waiting, and would have wanted to help in any way they could.

'In fact it was said that all of the ladies-in-waiting came over to Kensington Palace to have tea with Harry and Meghan's team... as a getting-to-know-you session.'

The calibre of the team made available to Meghan was, sources say, a sign of how committed Buckingham Palace was to supporting her.

'The intimation from the interview was that Harry, and particularly Meghan, were on their own,' one insider explained.

'Of course no one could ever understand what it must be like being plunged into that world so quickly.

'But that's why this team was assembled. Contrary to what has been suggested, Buckingham Palace has learnt from the mistakes of the past and were determined to help them in any way they could. They wanted to make Harry and Meghan a success.

'Unfortunately they didn't want to listen. Harry was intrinsically distrustful of the institution and Meghan just really didn't want to know.'

How Oprah used doctored and out-of-context headlines to smear the British press (while a third were from FOREIGN gossip mags) 

Headlines shown on screen during the Oprah interview to paint British media coverage as hostile and 'racist' were mocked up by the production company, often edited to remove context - and a third of them came from foreign media, new analysis has revealed today. 

The two-hour programme, which aired on CBS This Morning, included cuttings of stories intended to confirm the Sussexes' claim that UK newspapers were guilty of peddling racist abuse against Meghan. 

One segment showed a headline about how 'Meghan's seed will taint our Royal Family' - without noting that the story was actually exposing racist comments made by a model. 

The mocked-up version, which used a similar page design, included the quote but cut the remaining headline away.

Another story that appeared during the tell-all interview referred to a BBC programme that had portrayed Meghan as a 'trailer trash American'. 

The actual article included an interview with actress Gbemisola Ikunelo, who created the character, explaining she invented it to find 'humour in the ridiculous' because it is 'the opposite of how the Duchess really behaves'. 

And another appeared to use a quote from the story as if it were a headline - without showing the context behind it.

Meanwhile, 11 of more than 30 headlines shown during the interview were from American and Australian publications, according research by the Telegraph. MailOnline has contacted Oprah Winfrey's network for comment.

 

WHAT THEY SHOWED: The headline read 'BBC comedy portrays Meghan Markle as ''trailer trash'' American who threatens to knife Kate Middleton'. But the character was actually meant to be the opposite of what Meghan was really like  

IN REAL LIFE: The article as it appeared on the Telegraph's website - with Defence spelled the English way, not how the Americans mocked it up - makes it clear that the comedienne portraying Meghan as 'trailer trash' was doing so as it was 'finding humour' in a 'ridiculous' idea

How it appeared: A Telegraph article appeared in the same segment about hostile newspaper coverage, shortly after the commentator described the reporting as 'standing apart from what we've seen for any other royal'. 

The reality: The headline read 'BBC comedy portrays Meghan Markle as ''trailer trash'' American who threatens to knife Kate Middleton'.

But the story, from June 2019, included quotes from comedian Gbemisola Ikunelo, who voiced the character and said she conceived it as the opposite of Meghan to 'find humour in the ridiculous'.

'Anybody who has seen anything of Meghan Markle in public will know that she seems incredibly agreeable and friendly, always smiling,' she said.

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One of Meghan's closest friends claimed yesterday that she and Harry have a collection of emails and text messages to back up their bombshell claims about the Royal Family.

Actress and musician Janina Gavankar has known the Duchess of Sussex for 17 years and was with her when she watched the broadcast of the interview on Sunday.

She insisted 'the whole family and the whole staff' at Buckingham Palace were aware that Meghan's mental health was suffering. 

And she vowed 'the truth' would come out, as would evidence that had been collected which she believes proves their allegations.

She did not, however, detail which claims the messages referred to, the most incendiary of which is that a member of Harry's family expressed 'concern' about 'how dark' their unborn son would be.

American Miss Gavankar, 40 – who took the photo of Harry, Meghan and son Archie that featured on their first family Christmas card – was speaking on ITV's This Morning yesterday. 

She made clear she was speaking with Meghan's knowledge. 

She said her friend – whom she described as 'kind, generous and low-maintenance' – was 'happy' for her to talk on her behalf.

Asked about Buckingham Palace's 61-word statement on Tuesday, Miss Gavankar, who lives in LA and says Meghan tells her 'everything', said: 'After reading this short Palace statement that came out from Buckingham Palace I thought two things.

'On one side I thought I am so thankful they are finally acknowledging the experience [that Meghan had], but on the other side I know the family and the staff were well aware of the extent of it, and although their recollections may vary, ours don't because we lived through it with them.'

She added: 'And there are many emails and texts to support that.'

Meghan alleged in her Oprah interview that she suffered severe mental health issues and 'just didn't want to be alive any more'.

She even claimed senior figures in 'the institution' thwarted her attempts to seek help, as it would not be good for the monarchy.

Asked by Phillip Schofield whether she was saying that the 'whole family and the whole staff' were aware there was a woman in the palace who was 'deeply struggling', Miss Gavankar replied: 'I don't know who knew. I know the family and the staff knew.'

Asked how that made Meghan feel, she added: 'I think she spoke very well about how she felt. I believe she said she had no one to turn to within the institution.' 

The actress confirmed Meghan had told her about it all at the time, saying: 'Yes, she spoke to me about that. She told me what you now know.'

She also said she had spoken to Meghan about coming on TV to speak for her, adding: 'I talk to [the Sussexes] all of the time. We watched the special together, actually.'

She also strongly denied allegations made last week that the duchess had bullied staff, claims that the Palace HR department is investigating. 

Meghan's lawyers have denied the allegations. 

Miss Gavankar repeated unsubstantiated claims by Meghan's PR team that one of her accusers left due to 'gross misconduct'.

She added: 'The truth will come out. There are plenty of emails and texts about that.'  

Piers happily stopped and smiled for the cameras as he left his west London home with daughter Elise this morning. He also tweeted a message of thanks to the Good Morning Britain team